Ball-joint.



L. W. ANDBRSBN.

BALL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1918.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

WWWWJ Z W i W STATEEl PATENT OFFICE.

LAURITZ W. ANDERSEN, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 PLUME ANDATWOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPO-RATION OF CONNECTICUT.

BALL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented ]Dec. 2, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lauurrz W. AnneasnN, a citizen of the United States,residing at lVaterbury, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in llalldoints,of which the following is a SPQClfiCHtIOIL This invention relatesgenerally to electric light fixtures and more particularly to the balljoint containing a portion of said fixtures.

The object of the invention is to provide a ball joint constructed in anovel manner whereby the cost of production is greatly reduced and amuch neater, stronger and durable article produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball joint embodyingwithin its construction certain guard or protective features whichprevent the wires passing there through from being cut during themanipulation or adjustment of the fixture at the ball joint.

With these and certain other objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a Viewof a fixture embodying a ball joint constructed in accordance'with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar view the ball and globe being adjusted toa different position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the ball jointshowing the guards arranged therein. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective viewof one of the sections with bushin or nipple. Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview oli one of the guards detached.

. In carrying out my invention I employ two hemispherical shells A and Bwhich fit snugly together to produce a perfect sphere and are heldlocked together by means of a bolt C attached to one of the sections andpassing through the opposite section to enter the Winged 'nut D. Eachsection has a nipple or bushing connected thereto and through which theconductor wires pass. The nipple or bushing E is attached to the tubulararm of the fixture while the bushing or nipple F has the socket holderor other portion of the fixture connected thereto.

While I have shown this invention applied to a bracket fixture it willof course be understood that it can be, and is used upon chandelierfixtures and also upon what is known as portable lamps, and thesefixtures have merely been shown for the purpose of illustrating theapplication of my invention but do not constitute any part thereof.

The hemispherical shells are connected to the bushings or nipples in apeculiar manner and it will also be noted that these bushings or nipplesare especially constructed inasmuch as each is provided with a groove Eand F which instead of being cut straight is out upon the arc of acircle in both directions so as to receive the edge of the hemisphericalshell and after this edge has been inserted the inner end of the bushingor nipple is swaged down firmly upon the contained portion of said shellthereby rigidly uniting the bushing and hemispherical section. One-halfof the inner end of the bushing is of course cut-away to permit theopposing edge of the opposed hemispherical section to move freely inadjustment. By means of this special construction of bushing or nippleand the novel manner of uniting the hemispherical sections and bushingstogcthcr, I provide an exceedingly neat, compact, durable and eflicientform of ball joint and in connection therewith I employ guard plates Gfor the purpose of protecting the wires during the manipulation oradjustment of the parts of the ball joint and in Fig. 3 I have shown themanner of arranging these guard plates G there being two in number, oneinserted in each bushing or nipple and hearing at its notched end G uponthe connecting bolt C, each guard plate Ghaving laterally projectingwings or shoulders Gr which engage the inner ends of the bushings ornipple and assistin the positionin of said guard plates. The inner endsof tiese guard plates are given a slight curve as shown at G and thecurved end is also grooved slightly or convexed slightly so as toreceive and position conductor wires which pass through the ball joint.These guard plates prevent the cutting of the wires and thereby greatlyprolong the usefulness of the fixture embodying their con struction.

It will be of course understood that whenever it is desired to adjustthe portions of the fixtures it is only necessary to loosen the wingednut adjust the sections of the ball joint to the desired point and thentighten up the nut.

A ball joint constructed as herein shown and described and embodying theguard or protective features will accomplish all of the useful objectsand functions hereinbefore referred to.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A ball joint for fixtures comprising twohemispherical shellsa'nd means for connecting the same, each shellhaving a bushing or nipple connected thereto, and guard plates arrangedwithin the hemispherical shells and projecting into the bushings ornipples for the purpose set forth.

2. A ball joint for fixtures comprising two hemispherical sections andmeans for connecting the same, each section having a bushing connectedthereto, the inner end of each bushing being grooved to receive thespherical edge of a shell, as set forth.

3. A ball jointfor fixtures comprising two hemispherical sections andmeans. for connecting the same, each section having a bushing or nippleconnected thereto, the inner portion of said bushing or nipple beinggrooved or cut-away in curved or spherical fashion and adapted toreceive the spherical edge of the section, as set forth.

4. A ball joint for fixtures comprising two hemispherical sections andmeans for connecting the same, each sect-ion havin a bushing or nippleconnected thereto, t e inner osaeos ing portion of the section, one-halfof the inner end of bushing being cut-awag to re- 7 ceive the opposedsection, as set fort 5. A ball joint for fixtures comprising twohemispherical sections, each section having a bushing or nippleconnected thereto, a bolt for connecting said sections and guard platesnotched at their inner ends and adapted to contact with the connectingbolt, the outer ends of said guard plates extending into the bushings ornipples as set forth.

6. A ball ointfor fixtures comprising two hemispherical sections, eachprovlded with a bushing or nipple a bolt for connecting said sections,guard plates arranged within the sections their inner ends being notchedand adapted to contact with the connecting bolt, their outer ends curvedand adapted to enter the bushing or nipple, the intermediate portionhaving laterally projecting Wings for the purpose specified."

LAURITZ W. ANDERSEN.

